Turkish Lira for Tourists in November 2026: Rates, Prices, Tips

On 6 November 2026, the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye's indicative rate was 49.98 lira to the US dollar, 55.86 to the euro and 66.85 to the British pound. A dollar buys about 19% more lira than a year ago, but that does not make Turkey cheaper: consumer prices rose 29.77% over the past 12 months, so, on average, prices quoted in lira cost more in dollars, euros and pounds than last year. Tours priced in dollars, such as our Istanbul Old City private tour, do not move with the lira rate.

This is practical information for your trip, not financial advice. Rates change every working day.

The lira rate now and over the past year

The central bank publishes indicative rates on working days, not at weekends or on public holidays. These are its forex buying rates:

Since 2 January, a dollar buys about 17% more lira, a pound about 16% more and a euro about 11% more. Banks, exchange offices and card networks set their own rates around these figures. For cash, the central bank's banknote buying rate on 6 November was 49.95 lira for a dollar and 55.82 for a euro, a useful yardstick when you read an exchange office board.

Why Turkey is not cheaper this year

TurkStat's figures, published on 3 November, put annual consumer price inflation at 29.77% in October 2026, with prices up 27.52% since December. Some groups rose much faster than others:

• Housing, water, electricity and gas: up 40.24% in a year
• Transport: up 36.39%
• Food and non-alcoholic drinks: up 27.73%
• Clothing and footwear: up 13.38%, the lowest of all groups

Put the two sets of numbers together. Over the past year the dollar bought about 19% more lira, while prices rose 29.77%. An average lira price therefore costs roughly 9% more in dollars than a year ago, about 12% more in euros and about 7% more in pounds. These are averages, and your own costs depend on what you buy.

Prices set in a foreign currency work the other way. Hagia Sophia's gallery ticket for foreign visitors has been €25 since January 2024, so its lira price simply follows the euro rate. Our tours are priced in US dollars, so the lira rate does not change the dollar price.

What things cost now, in lira and in your currency

These are prices we could confirm, with approximate conversions at the central bank's forex buying rates for 6 November 2026, rounded to the cent. The rate you get will be a little different.

Istanbul's transport fares went up 10% in July, from 42 TL to 46.20 TL for a full Istanbulkart ride. Our Istanbul transport fares update has every fare, and our Istanbulkart guide explains the card. The culture ministry approved new museum tariffs in late August and early September 2026; our museum prices update lists them site by site, and the Hagia Sophia ticket update explains the gallery route.

Where to change money

• Exchange offices (döviz bürosu). Look for the board with two columns. Alış is the rate at which the office buys your currency, and satış the rate at which it sells. As a visitor changing dollars or euros, you get the alış rate, so compare it with the central bank's banknote buying rate for the day. Count your lira at the counter.
• The airport. Istanbul Airport's exchange offices are run by Global Exchange, which has 43 offices across the terminal. Airport rates can be far from city rates: in a May 2024 report on exchange offices at Turkish airports, Türkiye Gazetesi found them buying euros at 27 lira when the market rate was 34. Change only what you need for the first day, or pre-book an airport transfer so you need no cash on arrival.
• ATMs. Turkish bank ATMs set their own fees for foreign cards, and the amount differs from bank to bank. The machine shows its fee before you confirm, so cancel and try another bank if it is high. Your own bank may add a fee too.
• Cards. When a card machine or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, choose lira. Our pages on Istanbul tourist scams and first-time mistakes explain why, and warn about street money changers.

Banknotes: what is new

The 200 lira note, worth about $4 at today's rate, is still the largest. In September 2026 the central bank put new series of the 5 and 50 lira notes into circulation. Only the signatures changed, and the older notes stay valid, so do not worry if your change mixes old and new.

Ask for a mix of notes when you change money, and keep some 20 and 50 lira notes for taxis, kiosks and small cafés.

How to budget for a trip this winter

1. Budget in your own currency. Lira prices change often, so a lira figure from a blog written last year is likely to be too low. Our Istanbul trip cost and Turkey trip cost pages break a trip down by item.
2. Separate lira prices from foreign-currency prices. Transport, food and small shopping move with Turkish inflation. Tickets set in euros and tours set in dollars do not.
3. Pay for big items by card, in lira. Keep cash for small purchases, taxis and kiosks.
4. Check the rate the day you change money. The central bank's daily rate is the reference, and a board far from it is a reason to walk on.

For other 2026 prices, see our updates on private guide day rates and Cappadocia balloon prices.

Tours that cover this

• Istanbul Old City Private Tour: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi & Grand Bazaar: from $200 per person, 6 to 8 hours.
• Private Istanbul Shopping Tour: Grand Bazaar and Spice Market Guide: from $90 per person, 6 hours.
• Istanbul Street Food Tour: Local Neighbourhoods, Baklava and Coffee: from $90 per person, 6 hours.
• Istanbul Full-Day Tour with Bosphorus Cruise: Balat, Galata & Lunch: from $57 per person.

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